Tuesday, October 7, 2014

I've been humming this song for a couple of days but didn't remember lyrics. So I decided to look them up, and it spoke to me about friendships, how they always seem to be in flux . . . and my unending desire to reach out more. Especially this time of year when I feel so busy, too busy to give the way I would like. If you're a friend reading this, know that I care about you!!! And if I'm too busy to do much for you, I can still listen, and I can always pray!! May the Lord bless you!

Lyrics:

I won't run, I will stay
I'm not leaving you
I know there's friction here
The struggle makes us new

I wish you never thought you had to go
Wish you never thought you had to leave
Together we can lift each other up
We can build a shelter for the weak

No man is an island, we can be found
No man is an island, let your guard down
You don't have to fight me, I am for you
We're not meant to live this life alone

I see fear in your eyes
There's no safety here
Oh, my friend, let me in
I will share your tears

I wish you never thought you had to go
I wish you never thought you had to leave
We can always lift each other up
We can build a shelter for the weak, come on

No man is an island, we can be found
No man is an island, let your guard down
Please don't try to fight me, I am for you
We're not meant to live this life alone

Through trouble, rain, or fire
Let's reach out to something higher
Ain't no life outside each other
We are not alone
Through trouble, rain, or fire
Let's reach out to something higher
Eyes open to one another
We are not alone

No man is alone
Why you try to fight me
We don't have to do it alone
We don't have to do it alone
We don't have to do it alone

Friday, October 3, 2014

It was a brisk, late autumn day when a group of us hiked
Mather Point in the Grand Canyon. My fellow travelers had been patient with me,
stopping every so often so I could catch my breath.

“Go on ahead,” I said when we reached the observation point.
“I’ll wait here till you pick me up on the way back.”

I found a rock to sit on while I waited. I was sorry to be
looking out at the breathtaking landscape with no one to share it with. Well,
no one I knew, at least.

A bus had pulled up and dozens of Japanese tourists filed
out. Last was an elderly man. I moved over on my rock to make room for him to
sit beside me.

I wanted to tell him how honored I was to witness God’s
work, but we had no language in common. Just then he began singing in a low,
gentle voice.

The words were in Japanese, but I recognized the tune:
"Amazing Grace." I joined him in English. He motioned for us to stand
up. The Japanese tourist and I finished the song on our feet, our arms locked,
appreciating one of God’s greatest wonders, together.

Turns out we had plenty of languages in common, like the
language of music–and of faith.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

September was all about school! High school is turning out to be pretty intense. Kylen and I are both more than ready for a break once the weekend arrives. He is ahead of schedule in a couple of subjects and barely staying on schedule in others. He usually has light homework in the evenings. I planned most subjects to be done in 8 months rather than 9 to give ourselves a little buffer and the possibility of a much lighter schedule during December.

The apples class I'm co-teaching at our co-op is going well. Having a co-teacher has taken some of the pressure off of me to make sure I have an hour's worth of material prepared. Plus, she is doing all the prep for the lapbook portion of the class, which is a LOT of paper cutting!

I am also working on organizing our co-op's Christmas party. This one will be more elaborate than last year but not as intense as 2012. There will be crafts and games, but the prize system will be simpler. Our theme is "A White Christmas." Lots of blue, white, and snow!

My health is doing well. My doctor told me she thinks I'm in remission! Most of my meals follow the strict diet, but I have been experimenting with going off it more over the past month. We've eaten out a few times, and I will occasionally have a small portion of what Kylen is eating for dinner. I've noticed a reaction a few times, like my thumb joint being sore for a few days, but for the most part I've felt pretty good! It's great to know I can be free to eat other things occasionally and not stress about it.

Fall hasn't really set in here. A few leaves, but our grass is still green and the days are usually nice. We're not complaining!

A city on a hill, a light in the blogosphere.

First and foremost, I am a child of The King. Second, I am a wife and mother. These three roles occupy the majority of my thoughts, time, and energy. Raising our son up to love Jesus in a crooked and perverse generation is quite possibly my heart’s greatest desire. How grateful I am that being a homemaker and homeschooler allows me endless opportunities to pursue other interests as well. It is the perfect outlet for creativity, and I am truly happy. I feel blessed despite my autoimmune disease struggles, and I praise God for His rich love and mercy! :-)

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